[adciv]

Two things I've seen done, and I didn't notice these mentioned above. Lets call them "alternative materials".

1) Use of wood in select areas. We've used Baltic Birch for our electronics board and wheels before. This has worked out well for us as some of the electronics need to be insulted from the frame, and we can use standard wood screws to secure the equipment.

2) One team uses Carbon Fiber (Carborundum?), made in their own shop, for their supertructure. They're the only team I've ever heard of that had to ADD 20lb balast.